Cory Joseph

Joseph, who spent the past two seasons in Toronto, was dealt to the Pacers over the summer in the sign-and-trade that moved C.J. Miles to the Raptors. Joseph played a sixth-man role during both his seasons with the Raptors, posting 9.3 points, 3.3 assists and 2.9 steals acro...

Following a four-year apprenticeship in San Antonio, Joseph returns home to Toronto after signing a four-year, $30 million contract. More of a combo guard than a pure scorer or distributor, he posted career highs in most categories last season, averaging 18 minutes, 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks, and 0.2 three-pointers in 79 games while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 73 percent from the free-throw line. In 14 starts when Tony Parker was out of the lineup, however, Joseph averaged 35 minutes, 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 0.3 three-pointers while shooting 56 percent on field goals and 75 percent on free throws, giving a glimpse of his capabilities in a bigger role. Unlike previous guards coming off the Raptors' bench, Joseph is a strong defensive player who should be able to minimize the second-unit breakdowns the team has dealt with in the past, but he hasn't shown the ability to contribute at a high level on offense the way his predecessors did. As long as Kyle Lowry is healthy, Joseph's court time will be limited, but if Lowry breaks down Joseph could get a chance to shine.

2014-15

Cory Joseph is entering his fourth season in the league after being selected in the first round by the Spurs back in 2011. Last season, Joseph averaged 5.0 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.2 blocks, and 0.2 three-pointers in 14 minutes per game through 68 games. He shot 48 percent from the field on 3.9 attempts per game and 82 percent from the line on 1.4 attempts per game. Joseph posted a career-best PER (player efficiency rating) of 14.7 on the back of a career high in scoring. He also started a career-best 19 games, filling in whenever starter Tony Parker was out. When Parker played, however, Joseph was used as the third-string point guard behind Patty Mills. With Mills (shoulder surgery) expected to be sidelined until February, Joseph will be in line for a bump in minutes, but by looking at his per-36 statistics, he doesn't project as a very valuable fantasy option. His major fantasy contribution comes from his solid percentages and solid rebounding numbers for a guard, but he's most likely to be used as a spot starter and plug-and-play option throughout the season.

2013-14

Apparently, the word out of Spurs camp is that the 22-year-old Canadian point guard has 'first dibs' on the backup slot behind Parker. Still, the Texas product hasn't done enough to fully secure the role, and will likely struggle to win substantial minutes in the second unit.

2011-12

Joseph was picked in the first round of the draft this year, and while he does have some upside, he doesn’t project to play much for the Spurs this season if he makes the roster.